Letter from Benjamin Sherwood Hedrick to David L. Swain, September 15, 1853:
Electronic Edition.Hedrick, Benjamin Sherwood, 1827-1886Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supported the
electronic publication of this title.Text transcribed byBari HelmsImages scanned byBari HelmsText encoded byBrian DietzFirst Edition, 2005ca. 10KThe University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina2005

University of North Carolina Papers (#40005), University Archives, University
of North Carolina at Chapel HillLetter from Benjamin Sherwood Hedrick to David L. Swain, September 15, 1853B. S. Hedrick3 pages, 3 page images1853Call number 40005 (University Archives, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill)

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Letter from Benjamin Sherwood Hedrick to David L. Swain, September 15, 1853
CambridgeSept. 15 1853My Dear Sir;

Yours of the 25 Aug was received some time since. In the mean time I believe Mr Phillips has written to you. He will probably keep you posted up in matters
pertaining to Cambridge. I will therefore confine myself to some of the subjects mentioned
in your letter, after having first told you what I am doing. The forenoons I spend in the Almanac
office, except three hours each week I attend a lecture by Professor Peirce on the Mathematics. The afternoons I spend partly in the
laboratory trying to apply what I know of chemistry by analyzing the specimens of soils, marls,
& minerals bro't me by Mr Phillips. The remainder of the afternoon is given to the German Language
and to Professor Agassiz lectures on Geology. What time I have for reading is given
mainly to Agricultural works. In this way I expect to learn the theory & practice of farming
as understood by those who have studied the subject. But the practice in one place & under
given conditions of soil & climate becomes only theory when it is intended to apply it at an
other place & under different circumstances.As theory however it is of the greatest value to any one who is able to use it.

In regard to the books to be purchased for the Library I should be very glad to suggest some of
which would be more particularly useful in my studies. I think it would be well to procure sets of
the principal scientific journals & the Transactions & Memoirs published by the
various learned societies both in this country & in Europe. Of course it could not be expected to purchase them all at once: but
only to begin with the more important: and have some arrangment by which in future they should be
reviewed regularly as they are published. The cost of them is too great to be borne by an individual
and yet it is very necessary for either teaching or studying any branch of science that he have them
within his reach.

I suppose it is not too soon to make some inquiries in regard to the apparatus which will be
necessary in my department. I will not require a great deal: still there are some things which I
cannot furnish at my own expense. The apparatus it would be well to purchase before I return to Chapel Hill. I can in a short time make out a list of the articles most wanted
& the cost of them. I have been corresponding with the agent of a firm in Berlin, & have their catalogue. Apparatus & Chemical of a
better quality than those manufactured in this country can be obtained at less cost. As they would comeduty free it would be better to order them and have them imported direct. Please let me
know what can be done towards equiping my department.

As soon as Mr Phillips has seen a little more of the working of the schools here we will
be ready to suggest a plan for ours. I will write again soon